WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush on Monday again defended his administration's Iraq policy amid mounting accusations that it misled the nation about the need for war with Iraq.

    Striking similar notes in a speech delivered last week, Bush said the critics of his war policy are "irresponsible."

    Monday's remarks were made as his presidential plane Air Force One made a refueling stop in the Elemendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

    "Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war, but it is irresponsible for Democrats to now claim that we misled them and the American people," he said.

    "Yet some Democrats who voted to authorize the use of force, are now rewriting the past ... They are playing politics with thisissue, and sending mixed signals to our troops and the enemy. Thatis irresponsible," said Bush.

    "Only one person manipulated evidence and misled the world -- and that person was Saddam Hussein," he added.

    The president is seeking to defend himself against Democrats' criticism that he manipulated intelligence and misled the Americanpeople about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, in order to launch a war against Saddam Hussein in 2003.

    His remarks were made at a time when the White House has begun firing back the Democrats' accusation on the intelligence issue.

    However, with over 2,000 US troops killed in Iraq and public support for the war dropping sharply, local analysts said it is doubtful that the Bush's counterattack on critics will work out. Enditem